K-1 Attack: as cool as Mx-5. Maybe cooler.

Let me start with a confession. I'm a die-hard Mazda-man. I drive 20-years old Hiroshima-made youngtimer. Thus, it is painful for me to acknowledge that something can beat Mazda in fun and quality.

But it looks like true: K-1 Attack is a strong competitor to Mx-5.

You have probably never heard of K-1 Attack. It is not surprising. The car is being produced by the B-racing, a little company in the heart of the Czech Republic. The company consists of six petrolheads with creative minds and advanced engineering skills. They hand-craft every car after a pre-order. They can sell you Attack as the turn-key car or as a kit. The latter you'll need to assemble yourself.

Now, why Attack may be better than Mx-5

It comes cheaper. The prices start from $9,900 for the basic kit: bare chassis and fiberglass shell. Crossing the $20,000 point will get you the full kit without drivetrain. If you decide to invest $30,000 – or more – you may end up with the turn-key car.

Now, you may say that the turn-key Mx-5 costs around $30,000. And you will be right. But this Mx-5 won't have kevlar sport seats, double wishbone suspension, adjustable ground clearance, fibreglass monocoque body with pop-up doors, tubular frame (!!!) and many other cool things. To mount all this on Mx-5, you'll need to spend extra $10,000. Or more.

You may ask: what is the fuzz (!!!) about that tubular frame? I will answer: this is the key element a car should have to be super-safe. Here you have the video: the K-1 Attack seems to catch the wind on a climb, crashes and roll-overs a couple of times. This happens at 200 khp. The speed which will very likely kill all passengers in the Mx-5. But the driver unfastens his belts and steps out. This is what the tubular frame means (fyi: frames for the racing K-1 cars and roadsters are almost the same).

Also, if equipped with in-line four Honda engines, K-1 Attack weights below 900 kg. This is less than any stock Mx-5 from any of its four generations. Moreover, K-1 Attack is a mid-engined car with 53:47 weight distribution, what – alongside a low centre of gravity – gives you a lot of traction and confidence when driving. In other words, the car's front end won't be squeaking and sliding into the bushes on cornering. Again, stock Mx-5 may not be that good.

K-1 Attack is much friendlier to run and maintain. If you opt for the Honda or Ford engines from the early 2000s, the spare parts will come as cheap as chips. The number of specialists and qualified mechanics who can fix these drivetrains is immense. They will also ask much less for their services compared to the chaps from the Mazda dealerships. The K-1 Attack insurance will also come cheaper. Not to mention that some of the 2000s Honda's and Ford's engines are more powerful than today's SkyActive-G.

If you are motivated enough, you may try mounting the electric drivetrain on the K-1 Attack! The car's construction allows for this.

Now, surely, you can go the Mazda dealership today and buy yourself Mx-5 with no headache. You'll soon get a turn-key car which you'll get in and drive away. K-1 Attack is different. If you opt for the kit, the car will require your sweat, blood and dedication. The car will require your installing the soul into it.

Here's another thing which won't ever work for the Mx-5! K-1 Attack may turn into a profitable business! You buy kit for $20,000, spend two-three weeks in the garage assembling the car, and sell it afterwards for $60-70,000. Check the eBay!

Now, dear parents, if you read this, support your kids in buying the K-1 Attack. This is the most entertaining and practical Lego-car they can ever get in their life. It will develop their engineering skills and distract them from time-killing in social networks and virtual realities. It is, by far, the safest car I have ever seen on the road.

Dear mates, if you read this, crash down your piggy banks and buy the K-1 Attack now! Because this is world's unique coolness which comes at a super-price! Because it's like Lambo but even more rare! Because it's fast, sharp, cheap and fun! Because your friends will be impressed and your parents will be happy. And yes, you will support six petrolheads in the Czech Republic who hand-crafted this car specially for you.

Here's the configurator:

And here's bigger article about K-1 if you got interested. It contains the interview with the B-racing CEO:

DriveTribe

K-1 Attack roadster: mid-engined affordable sports-car | DriveTribe

Prices for bare shell start from $9,9K and soar as high as your racing ambitions

And here's the judgement of a professional designer on the K-1 exterior:

DriveTribe

Exterior Design Analysis: K-1 Attack | DriveTribe

The Good. The Bad. The Verdict.

And yes, consider joining Academic Driving tribe for more such articles:

DriveTribe

Academic Driving | DriveTribe

Witty Talks. Original Content. We Award Ph.D. in Petrolhead Sciences.

Now, when will you buy the K-1 Attack?